ASSESSMENT FOR LEARNING

The word 'assess' comes from the Latin verb 'assidere' meaning 'to sit with'. In assessment one is supposed to sit with the learner. This implies it is something we do 'with' and 'for' students and not 'to' students.

Green, 1999

Assessment for learning is an on-going process that is at the heart of teaching and learning. In order to provide instruction that meets the needs of our students, a teacher must know what students understand and where they are in their learning. The information the teacher gathers is used to adjust teaching and learning in ways that help students move forward.

WHAT IS ASSESSMENT FOR LEARNING?

• built in to the daily teaching and learning process

• non-judgmental

• generally a quick gathering of information about student understanding

• used to adapt our teaching to meet student needs

• a way of better understanding student’s thinking

• what you do with the feedback you get from a variety of instructional strategies and techniques

• done with students to engage them in their own learning